Disk tiller



I May 22, 1945.

w. H: SILVER 2,376,455 DISK TILLER Original Filed Aug. 20, 1941 PatentedMay 22, 1945 2 Walter 11. Silver, Moline, 111., assignor to Deere &Company,'Moline, 111., a corporation of Illinois x Original applicationAugust 20,1941, Serial o.

407,549. Divided 1942, Serial No. 449,007

9 Claims. (o1. 97--18'l) This application is a division of my co-pendingapplication, Serial 'No. 407,549, filed August 20, 1941, for Disktiller.

The present invention relates generallyto agricultural implements andmore particularly to disk tillers, sometimes referred to as disk plowsor barrow plows. The object and general nature of the present inventionis the provision of improved steering connections for disktillers andthelike, whereby the implement may more easily be controlled, both inthe raised and lowered posit-ions.' A further feature of this inventionis the provision of means associated with the front and rear furrowwheels whereby, during operation. both may be steered by the implementhitch but in which the parts mayibe so arranged, that, during transport,only the front furrow wheel is steered, the connections serving to holdthe rear furrow wheel against steering. movement. This serves tostabilize the implement during transport.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing in which the preferred embodiment of this inventionhas been illustrated.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a top perspective of a disk tiller in whichthe principles of the present invention have been incorporated; and

Figure 2 is a perspective fragmentary view, the front furrow wheel beingremoved, showing the steering connections for the front furrow wheel. 7Referring now to the drawing, thepresent invention has .been illustratedas incorporated in a disk tiller which, in general, includes a framestructure I, a gang of disks 2, a hitch device 3 and supporting wheels4, and 6. The tiller is adapted to be hitched to a tractor or othersource of power indicated by the reference numeral I, the latter havinga drawbar 8 to which the for-ward end of the hitch device 3 isconnected; I

The frame I of the disk tiller comprises a frame bar II having amainportion I2 which is disposed generally diagonally and a rear portionI3, the forward part I4 of which extends generally diagonally in theother direction, more or less at a right angle to the section I2, therear portion of the frame section l3 extending generally directlyrearwardly, as indicated at I5. A pair of brackets I! and I8'are weldedor otherwise secured to the frame beam II in generand this applicationJune 29,

ally later lly spaced apart relation, the brackets l1 and I8 beingformed so that, as best shown in t Figure 1, they extend laterallyoutwardly and -forwardly with respect to the beam I I, being secured tothe lattersubstantially at the junction between the two diagonalsections I 2 and I4. The laterally inner bracket I1 supports a sector 23to which a master depth controlling lever 25 is pivoted, as at 24, andwhich carries the usual detent "mechanism cooperating with the sector23. A brace 26 is welded to the two brackets I'h and I8 to give themlateral rigidity. The brackat IT includes an opening to receive theinner endof a crank axle 36, and the other bracket I8 land wheel 4 ofthe tiller.

connected to drive a power lift clutch mechanism,

meral 45.

is formed with a slot which is open atone end, the forward portions ofthe bracket on opposite sides of the slot being turned backwardly toform generally vertically aligned openings in which a bolt 34 isdisposed. The bolt is removable to provide for insertion and removal ofthe crank axle 36.

The crank axle 36 comprises a generally U- shaped member 4| having anend portion 42 disposed for rocking movement in the brackets I! and I8and is held in place by a pin 44. The other end portion 43 of the crankaxle 36 is provided with suitable journal means receiving the indicatedin its entirety by the reference nu- The particular details of theclutch 45 do not per se form any part of the present in vention,-beingdisclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 391,918,filed May 5, 1941, to which reference may be had if necessary. Theimplement parts shown in said copending application are portions of thepresent implement. The clutch mechanism 45 includes a driven crankmember 46 that isconnected by a link 41 with the master depth adjustinglever As willbe understood by those familiar with agricultural implementpower lift clutches, a half revolution of the crank 46 resultingfrom thelotation of the land wheel '4 causes the crank axle 38 t0 rock upwardlyand downwardlyin itsrocking support in the brackets I1 and H3. The

.clutch 45 is controlled by a trip lever 51 which is pivoted on thelower end of a downwardly and forwardly extending arm 55, the upper endof which is 'apertured to receive the section 42 of the crank axle 36.At its lower end, the trip lever 5i carries a roller 59 which controlsthe operationof the power lift clutch 45. A cable extends forwardly fromthe upper end of the trip lever '51 to the operators station on the Thelatter wheel is tractor 1. A counterbalancing spring 65 is connected atits forward end to the arm 55, and at its rear end the counterbalancingspring 65 is adjustably connected with a depending bracket 61, the upperend of which is welded or otherwise secured to the rearwardly extendingsection I4 of the frame beam I I.

The disk gang 2 includes a plurality of soil working disks 80 ofconventional construction, the disks being mounted on a gang shaftwhereby the disks are supported for simultaneous rotation. Suitablespacing gange shaft between the disks. 2 is connected with the frame Iby front and rear supports indicated in Figure 1 by the referencenumerals 86 and 81, respectively. The front disk gang support 86comprisesa swinging crank or link member 88 having at its forward end anupturned portion 89 which is secured by a clamp casting IN to theforward'portion of the diagonal frame section I2. The clamping member 9|includes two parts, one part indicated by the reference numeral 92embracing the diagonal beam section I2 while the other part 93 embracesthe The disk gang upturned end 89 of the swingable link or crank member88. Each of the sections 92 and 93 is split and is provided with-aclamping bolt by which the parts may be securely fixed to the frame beamor the member 88. Referring to Figure 1, the clamping bolt for theclamping section 92 is indicated by the reference numeral 94 and. theclamping bolt for the other section 93 is indicated by the referencenumeral 95.

The member 88 includes a downturned spindle portion that is disposed forrocking movement in i an upwardly extending sleeve that is welded to ayokeI05 by which a gang shaft bearing I09 is connected to the frontsupport 86.

The other supportmember 81, for the rear end of the disk gang 2, is ofsimilar eluding a yoke member I I5 pivoted to the rear gang shaftbearing and having a vertically disposed sleeve section in which thelower end of a bracket or support member is disposed, the upper end ofthe latter carrying by which the standard or support 81 may be securedto the rearwardly extending section I4 of the frame beam II, as morecompletely shown in my parent application mentioned above.

The front furrow wheel 5 is journaled for rotation'on the loweroutturned stub shaft section I3I of a vertical spindle I32. The latteris received for vertical sliding movement in a sleeve I34 forming a partof a casting I35'having a clamping section I36 that is adapted to besecured to the forward end of the draft beam I I by any suitable means,such as a pair of U-bolts I 38. A bell crank I40 has one arm I4Iconnected to the lower end of a crank screw I42, the upper end of whichis anchored in a cap member I43 by any suitable means, such as an eyebolt I44 rockably received in a sleeve section I45 of the cap-I43.Rocking of the bell crank I40, as will be referred to later, reactsthrough the adjusting crank screw I42 againstthe upper end of thespindle I32 for the purpose of raising andlowering the front end of theframe relative to the front furrow wheel 5. In Figure 1, the parts areshown in their raised or transport position.

An arm I5I is fixed in any suitable manner to the upper end of the frontfurrow wheel spindle I32 and is apertured at its outer end to receivethe upturned end I52 of a generally longitudinally extending link I53.The latter member is made up of a pair of telescopicallyassociated rodsecconstruction, in-

clamping means CPI spools 82 are disposed on the front furrow wheel 5.

tions I54 and I 55, the latter including a sleeve section I56, the rearend of which is secured to a rod I51 having a downturned end disposed inan aperture in the outer end of an arm I58 secured to the upper end of aspindle I6I on the lower end of which the rear furrow wheel 6 isjournaled. A set screw collar I63 at the forward end of the sleevesection I58 serves to retain the link members I54 and I in adjustedposition. It will be noted from Figure 1, that the arms I5I and I58extend generally in opposite directions, whereby if, for example, thefront furrow wheel 5 should be turned in a clockwise direction, the rearfurrow wheel 6 would be turned in acounterclockwise direction.

The axle construction for the rear furrow wheel 6 is substantially thesame as that for the A sleeve member I65 receives the vertical portionof the spindle HM and is provided with a pad I66 which is bolted, as atI61, to a corresponding pad I68 secured, as by welding, to the rear endof the longitudinal frame bar section I5. The spindle section IBIextends upwardly through the sleeve section I65 and carries acap I69 atthe upper end to which a crank screw I1I is anchored, as by an eye boltI12 'ree ceivedin a sleeve section I13 on the cap I69. The lowerthreaded end of the crank screwed into a nut member I15 which is pivotedto one arrnof a bell crank I11. The latter is mounted for rockingmovement on a bracket I18, that is welded, as at I 19, to the rear endof the frame bar section II.

The other arm of the bell crank I11 is bent generally downwardly andconnected by arod I82 (Figure 1) to a horizontally disposed bell crankI83 journaled for rocking movement on a bracket-I84 secured to the framebar II in any suitable manner, preferably by welding, to the side of thelaterally outer crank axle bracket 18. One arm I81 of the bracket I83 isconnected by a link I88 to an arm I89 fixed, as-by welding, to thelaterally outer part of the crank axle section 42. The other arm of thebell crank lever nected by a link member I93 to the downwardly extendinarm of the bell crank I40 associated with the front furrow Wheel 5.Preferably, the link member I92 consists of two strap sections, thefront section (Figure 2) having a downturned end pivoted, as at I96, toa pin carried on the lower arm of the bell crank I40. The link sectionsmay be connected together in different positions of adjustment to varythe effective length thereof.

As will be clear from the above description, Whenever the power liftclutch 45 is operated to cause the crank axle 36 to rock in a generallyVertical direction, the upper end of the arm I89 shifts in a generallylongitudinal direction, causing the bell crank I83 to rock, the rockingmovement of the latter member is transmitted through the link membersI82 and I93 to the front and rear furrow wheel bell cranks I40 and I11,thereby raising and lowering the tiller frame substantially the sameamount with respect to all three of its supporting wheels.

As mentioned above, the front and rear furrow wheels are mounted forswinging movement about vertical axes, as defined by their verticalspindle sections I32 and I6I, one wheel being turned in one directionwhile the other wheel is turned in the other direction. This action ismade use of to secure a steering control which permits the tractor andtiller to be turned in a much shorter I83 is 0011- pivot bolt 208.

radiu'srthan :is ordinarily: possible withtillers and like implements. I

, Referring now more. particularly to Figure. l,

with a plurality of openings 206 to receive a bolt 201' bywhichtheswivel,2Il2;may,be connected tothemember 203 in different, verticalpositions.

The swivel 2il2 is connected to the rear end of the draft transmittingmember 201 by a vertical A laterally swingable hitchmember 2| I isconnected by apivotmember 2I2 tdthe forward. end of the main drafttransmitting mem ber 20L -'Iheforward end of the hitch member 2I'I isconnected by any suitable means, suchas clevis members 213, to the draftbar fl of the tractor .I, andthe rear .end of thehitch member 2I I,rearwardly "of the pivot H2, is provided with a laterally and.rearwardlyextending arm 2l5 which is apertured-to receive. a pivotmemher 216- by which the forward end .of a steering link 2", whichpreferably consists of two adjustably connected sections Eli! and 2 I9whereby the effective length; of the-steering link 211 may be adjusted;is connected thereto, The rear end of thesteering link section'2l9isrpivoted, as at 22 l, to a steering arm 222 preferably welded to thelower end of the. frontfurrow wheel spindle I32 just above the juncturewith the laterally directed stub axlesection I3I, on which the wheel5 isjournaled. A diagonal brace bar 225is connected by a pin 226 with themain draft transmitting member 201, and at the other endthe bar 225isapertured and is disposed above the lower end of the steering wheelspindle I 32, below the steeringarm 222,. preferably between the stubaxle section I3! and the steering arm, as best shown in. Figure 2. Thus.the diagonal braoebar 225 extends substantially. directly between themain draft transmitting member 2III and the wheel 5, whether the frameof the tiller; be raised or lowered. In the lowered position, the lowerend of the frame sleeve I34 is closely adjacent. the steering arm 222.and the. diagonal brace bar 225. Hence, the'link225 is effective tocooperate. with the main draft transmitting member 20I when the disksare lowered into operating position. The operation of the implementdescribed above is. substantially as follows;

Figure 1 shows the parts in operating position,

the front furrow wheel 6 running inthe furrow opened by the rearmost,disk 80 on the Previous,

round, The front and I rear adjusting, crank screws I42and 'III may beturnedto level the tiller in operation, the rear crank screw I'II beingadjusted so that the rear furrow wheel 6 is approximately level with thebottom edge of the disks. The plurality of holes in the left hand of thediagonal brace bar 225 permits the pin 226 to be disposed in variouspositions so as to accommodate various widths of tractors. The disktiller of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in closequarters due, first, to the fact that turning of the tractor in onedirection or the other swings the hitch member 2I I, which causes thefront and rear furrow wheels to turn in opposite directions, and second,by virtue of the fact that the steering arm 2 I5 of themember 2H and thesteering arm 222 of the front furrow wheel spindle I32 are directedgenerally laterally and rearwardly, which'disposes the steering link litopening I 52a.

idly than would be the case if only one of the,

wheels, such as the front furrow wheel 5, should be steered by theturning of thetractor.

This rapid steering action of the implement is not necessary, and maynot be desirable, when transporting the implement. To the end ofproviding an implement that may be made quite stable for movement atrelatively high speed in transport position, I provide asecond opening$5211 (Figure 1) in the front furrowwheel arm I5I closely adjacent theaxis of the spindle 132 so as to secure as little movement as possible,When ar ranging the "machine for transport, the front end I52 of thesteering link I53 is removed from the outer end of the arm 'I5I andinserted in the This opening isplaced so that steering movement of willaffect there'ar furrow wheel 6 very little if any. Thus, when arrangedfor transport, the

I tractor turns the front furrow wheel 5 but does not turn the rearwheelto any appreciable extent.

The effective length of the steering link 2 Il may be adjusted byshifting the positions of the mem bers' 2I8 and ZISfor the purpose oflanding the I While I have showna-nd described above the preferredstructure in which the principles of the present invention have beenincorporated, it is to be understood thatmy invention is not to belimited to the particular details; shown and described above, but that,in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice of thebroader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and by Letters Patent is:

I 1. An agricultural machine comprising frame means having a verticalspindle receiving sleeve section, a vertically disposed wheel spindlemounted in said sleeve section, said spindle including a laterallyoutwardly bent section "at'its lower end and a steering arm, a groundwheel journa led for rotation on said laterally outwardly bentsection, adraft transmitting member connected at its rear end with said framemeans, a laterally swingable hitch member pivoted to y the forward endof said draft transmitting memher and including an armlink-connectedwith said steering arm, whereby lateral swinging movementof said hitch member serves to turn said wheel spindle, means forraising and lowering said frame means relative to said spindle, and alaterally extending link connected at one end withsaid drafttransmitting member and disposed at the other end about the lower end ofsaid spindle below said steering arm, whereby the lower endof saidspindle is braced against lateral deflection in any raised position ofsaid frame means. i I

2. The invention set forth inclaim ll, further characterizedby dirigiblewheel means connected with the rear of said frame means and including avertically disposed rockable spindle having an arm, an arm on the upperendof said first ofthe rear 7 the front furrow wheel 5 desire to securea steering arm fixed to said spindle above mentioned wheel spindle, linkmeans connecting said last mentioned arms, said laterally swingable',hitchmember acting through said first mentioned spindle for steeringboth wheels, said laterally extending link serving to transmit theaction of the steering movement of said draft transmitting member fromthe lower end of said spindle in any raised position of the frame means.

i .3. An agricultural machine comprising frame means including avertical sleeve section, a vertically disposed wheel spindle rockablymounted in said sleeve section and having at its lower end wheelreceiving stub shaft means,- means for raising and lowering said framemeans relative to said spindle in a generally vertical direction, abracing link apertured at one end and having said end disposed about thelower end of said spindle above said wheel receiving stub shaft section,a steeringarmfixed to said spindle above said bracing'link, whereby thelatter is held in connection with the lower :end of the spindle in anyraised position of said frame means, and draft transmitting meansreceiving the other end of said bracing link and connected at its rearend with said frame means.

4. In an agricultural machine, support. means,

a steering wheel spindle mounted for generally vertical adjustmentrelative to said support means, a steering arm fixed to the lower end ofsaid spindle, a draft member connected with said support means, and alink connected at its rear end with said spindle below said steering armand with said draft member.

5. In an agricultural machine, support means, a steering wheel spindlemounted for generally vertical adjustment, relative to said supportmeans, a steering arm fixed to the lower end of said spindle, a"draftmember connected with said support means, and a link having an aperturedrear end embracing said spindle closely adjacent said steering arm? andconnected adjacent its other end with said draft member.

6. An agricultural machine comprisin frame means including a verticalsleeve section, a vertically disposed wheel spindle rockably mounted insaid sleeve section and having at its lower end Wheel receiving stubshaft means disposed appre ciably below said sleeve section, a bracinglink apertured at one end and having said end disposed loosely about thelower end of said spindle above said wheel receiving stub shaft section,said bracing link, whereby the latter is held in nection with the lowerend of the spindle, and draft transmitting means receiving the other endof said bracing link and connected at its rear end with said framemeans.

7. An agricultural machine comprising frame means including a verticalsleeve section, a ver- COD- tically disposed wheel spindle 'rockably.mounted in said sleeve section and having at its lower end wheelreceiving stub shaft means, a bracing link apertured at one endandphaving said. end disposed loosely about the lower end of saidspindle above said wheel receiving stub shaft'section, and a steeringarm fixed to said spindle above said bracing link, whereby the latter isheld in connection with the lower end of the spindle.

8. An agricultural machine comprising frame means, a generallyvertically shiftable steering wheel spindle connected with said framemeans, a steering wheel journaled on the lower' portion of said spindle,a steering 'arm connected with said spindle, a draft transmitting memberconnected at itsrear end with said frame meansja laterally swingablehitch member pivoted to'the forward end of said draft transmittingmember and including an arm link-connected withsaid steering arm,whereby lateral swinging movement of said hitch member serves to turnsaid wheel spindle, means for raising and lowering said framemeans'relative to said spindle, and a laterally extending bracing linkconnected at one end with said draft transmitting member and disposed atthe other end about the lower end of said spindle so as to be pivotallyconnected therewith about the axis of said spindle, whereby the lowerend of said spindle is braced against lateral deflection inany raisedposition ofsaid frame means.

9. An agricultural implement comprising frame means, a drafttransmitting member connected at its rear end with said frame means, alaterally swingable hitch member connected to the forward end of saiddraft transmitting member for lateral swinging movement relativethereto, a generally vertically disposed wheel spindle mounted for bothrocking and generally vertical movement in saidframe means, agroundengaging wheel carried by said spindle and steered by rocking movementof the latter, a steering arm on said spindle extending generallylaterally rearwardly and inwardly'relative to said frame means, alaterally extending bracing link connected atone end with saiddrafttransmitting member and dis posed at the other end about the lowerend of said spindle below said steering arm, whereby the lower end ofsaid spindle is braced against lateral deflection in any frame means, agenerally laterally and rear Wardly extending arm on said laterallyswing able hitch member, and a steering link passing over said bracinglink and connecting said arms, the latter supporting said steering linkin a posi-' tion adjacent the center line of the implement,

whereby the rear tractor wheelsclear said link when making turns.

. WALTER H. SILVER.

raised position of said

